In March 1972, President Nixon signed into law the Nutrition Program for the Elderly Act, authorizing $100 million for a national nutritional services program for the elderly.

Research has shown that the proper provision of meals in group settings (congregate meals) for elderly people fosters social interaction, facilitates the delivery of supportive services and meets emotional needs, while at the same time it improves nutrition. Congregate meals are offered at places such as Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale, a County facility in Hilo.

The Act specified that greatest priority was to be given to serving those individuals in greatest need of nutrition and social services. The Senior Nutrition Program began in Hawai`i County in 1974.

This year, the program will celebrate its 30^th Anniversary and a special luncheon is planned for participants at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on October 22, 2004.

Thirty years ago, the first congregate sites were opened at the Salvation Army facility in Hilo and at the Filipino Clubhouse in Honaunau, manned by a cadre of Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers.

With the hiring of Julie Tulang as the first Nutrition Program Director, the program quickly grew and received state recognition for excellence.

Today, the Senior Nutrition Program, under the leadership of Joan Kawakone, serves 450 daily meals at 15 congregate sites around the island. The program also provides 300 daily meals to home-bound seniors through its "Meals on Wheels" Home-Delivered Meals component.

The Congregate Meals Program provides a nutritional meal in a congregate or group setting. Along with the meal, participants enjoy a wide variety of activities that include crafts, games, music and educational sessions. The "Meals on Wheels" Home-delivered Meals component provides nutritional meals to homebound participants in his/her place of residence. To qualify for the Congregate Meals program an individual need only be 60 years of age. To qualify for Meals on Wheels home-delivered meals, one must be 60 years of age and certified Home Bound by a physician.

For information on either program, call the Hawaii County Nutrition Program (HCNP) at 961-8726.

Housekeeping (chore) services: There are two types of housekeeping or chore services. The state Department of Human Services (DHS) incorporates light housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation into their definition of chore to address seniors’ needs.

By contrast, the Federal Older Americans Act definition for chore involves heavy housework and yard maintenance.

In Hawaii County both types of chore services for seniors are offered:

• Through a grant from DHS, the Hawaii County Office of Aging contracts with the Coordinated services for the Elderly program for DHS-defined chore services.

• Should frail older individuals require "heavy" chore assistance, the Office of Aging uses case management contractors to provide these services.

To qualify for DHS chore services individuals must be deemed low-income. To qualify for chore services through Office of Aging case management providers, individuals must meet eligibility requirements based on physical need.

For more information on chore services, call Coordinated Services for the Elderly at 961-8777 (Hilo) or 322-1812 (Kona).

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As our population ages and people’s life spans lengthen, the incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia is increasing also.

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that causes severe intellectual deterioration. It is a progressive, degenerative disease and is currently considered irreversible.

Other forms of dementia may be caused by stroke or other illnesses.

Families, who are most often the caregivers, need help and support to look after their ailing loved ones.

The best resource for information and support is the Alzheimer’s Association – Aloha Chapter. For information on caregiving and information support groups call Chris Ridley or Iris Yugawa at 959-9151.

In this article we take a brief look at some of the services and facilities here in Hawai`i County devoted to seniors with special needs.

For seniors with dementia who live at home rather than a live-in care facility, there is adult day care.

Adult day care is designed to provide not only the foregoing services to the elderly but also relief to family caregivers during ordinary office hours when they are at work.

Started by the Office of Aging in 1976, adult day care programs provide a multipurpose program for elderly people living in the community that provides, on a daily basis, recreation and social services, hot meals, and in many day centers medical, nursing, and rehabilitation services.

Today, there are three adult day care programs in the County of Hawaii. The Hawaii Island Adult Care, Inc. in Hilo, Kona Adult Day Center in Kealakekua and Ho`o Nani Place in Waimea. The cost for day care services is considerably less than long-term care institutions.

For information about Hilo Adult Day Care, call 961-3747. For Kona Adult Day Care call 322-7977. For Waimea Adult Day Care at Ho’o Nani Place call 887-6440.

There are also state-licensed programs which also include medical services, and these are referred to as adult day health centers. They may be covered by Medicaid or partially covered by Medicare Part B.

For further information, call the State of Hawai`i Department of Human Services, Adult and Community Care Services Section at 933-8820 (Hilo) and 327-6280 (Kona).

Nursing Care Homes: This is a very broad term and to the average person it means any home that takes care of elderly or physically incapacitated individuals. This is true, however, there are many different kinds of care homes that provide varying degrees of care.

Nursing care homes are institutional settings. There are three different types of nursing care home facilities:

1. Skilled Nursing Facilities provide 24-hour a day licensed, skilled nursing care for a person who has serious healthcare needs but does not require the intense level of care provided in a hospital.
2. An Intermediate Care Facility provides less extensive healthcare than a Skilled Nursing Facility.
3. Custodial care nursing facilities. These facilities are designed for persons who can no longer live alone but need a minimum of medical supervision or assistance with personal and/or social care.

In Hawaii County there are eight facilities that provide Skilled Nursing Facility and Intermediate Care Facility-level care, with the majority of beds being at the Intermediate Care Facility level.

The nursing care facilities in Hawai`i County that provide beds for Skilled Nursing Facility and Intermediate Care Facility-level care are:

• Hilo Medical Center (112 beds)
• Life Care Center of Hilo (252 beds)
• Hale Anuenue Care Center (120 beds)
• Kona Hospital (34 beds)
• Life Care Center of Kona (94 beds)
• Hale Ho`ola Hamakua (48 beds)
• Kohala Hospital (22 beds)
• Kau Hospital (16 beds)

There is another category of services for older persons who cannot live independently and when family support is either not available or if needs exceed what families can provide, the Adult Residential Care Homes.

These are what used to be commonly called boarding homes. They provide shelter, supervision and care, but they do not offer 24-hour skilled nursing services.

Adult residential care homes provide living accommodations for a fee to adults unrelated to the home operator who require at least minimal assistance in the activities of daily living.

For more information call Hawai’i District Health Office, Adult Residential Care Homes at 974-6006.

One very popular and important program, especially for our rural island communities with limited resources, is the State Department of Human Services Foster Homes program. As a program under the social services department, it does not have to comply with much stricter rules that govern care homes under the State Department of Health. Restrictive DOH rules often disqualify homes as they cannot meet institutional standards.

The program allows only two residents per home and a family style environment. The program is administered locally through Catholic Charities and receives funding through the State Department of Human Services.

For information on the Foster Home program, call 935-8475.

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Registered voters may vote early (absentee) beginning Tuesday, October 19 through Friday, October 29, 2004 and Tuesday, October 19 through Saturday, October 30, 2004 in Hilo.

NOTE: Absentee voting will conclude on Friday, October 29 in Kona, Waimea, Pahala, and Kohala. Absentee voting in Hilo will conclude on Saturday, October 30, 2004.

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The County of Hawaii Fire Department would like to invite the public to join them as they celebrate Fire Prevention Week from October 10 to 16, 2004. The grand finale will take place the following week, on October 23.

This year’s nationwide theme, "Test Your Smoke Alarms" underscores a simple fact: Smoke alarms are the great safety success story of the 20th century, but only when they’re working properly.

This year’s activities will conclude with static displays and demonstrations for the public at the old Kona Airport on October 23, 2004, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Among the agencies participating are State airport crash crew, Department of Land & Natural Resources--Forestry and Wildlife, Pohakuloa Training Area, Kilauea Military Reserve, along with the Fire Department’s Prevention Bureau, rescue teams and volunteer firefighters.

Participation in Fire Prevention Week highlights the Department’s ongoing efforts to increase public awareness through fire safety education and fire prevention programs. They are celebrating Fire Prevention Week with open houses at all 19 of its fire stations through the County of Hawai`i. During the week the public can meet firefighters, tour stations and receive information about fire safety and fire prevention.

Every fire safety team begins with firefighters and other first responders. But the Fire Department can’t do it alone—they need to involve and educate the public of their role in effective fire safety.

Please help them spread the message, "Test Your Smoke Alarms." It may sound like basic advice, but this lesson can save lives.

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.

For further information contact Laurie Kaneta of the Hawai`i County Fire Department at 961-8394.

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AFFECTED AREAS: HAINA WATER SYSTEM; HAMAKUA

LAUPAHOEHOE WATER SYSTEM; NORTH HILO

Due to ongoing dry weather conditions and exceptionally large water consumption in both areas; and, due to repairs to the Laupahoehoe Well for Affected Area #2, the Department of Water Supply would like to notify consumers in the Affected Areas that they are under Water Conservation. Water Conservation Notice is a voluntary action to reduce water usage by 10%.

AFFECTED AREAS: KUKUIHAELE WATER SYSTEM; SOUTH KOHALA

MAKAPALA-NIULI WATER SYSTEM; NORTH KOHALA

Due to ongoing dry weather conditions and exceptionally large water consumption, the Department of Water Supply would like to remind consumers in the Affected Areas that they are under Water Conservation. Water Conservation Notice is a voluntary action to reduce water usage by 10%.

To reach the 10% reduction goal, here are a few tips:

Agricultural users should irrigate only at night from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. This measure reduces water loss due to evaporation and minimizes water system drain during peak demand.

For more information, please contact Dennis Lee at the Department of Water Supply at 961-8790.

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Or call our 24/7 Job Hotline: 961-8618

Click on employment opportunities to download all of the forms.

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West Hawai`i Recycling Pilot Project Grand Opening in Kealakehe Oct 30

The public is cordially invited to the grand opening of the Kailua Recycles Project, (otherwise known as the West Hawai`i Recycling pilot project) on Saturday, October 30 at 10:00 am.

Come join us for a day of fun, music, displays, recycling demonstrations, workshops on recycling, keiki activities and more!

The Kailua Recycles Project is for residential recycling. It is located right next to the Kealakehe Transfer Station so it is also convenient for residential waste disposal.

It is Hawaii Island's second solid waste convenience center to be upgraded for maximum recycling. . The demonstration project will recycle within a two-stream process:

• Mixed glass bottles and jars in one container and
• Newspaper, cardboard, magazines, white and mixed paper, #1 and # 2 plastics and aluminum cans in another container.

If proven successful, this will keep more of our recyclable stuff out of our landfills.

For more information, contact Recycle Hawai`i at 329-2886 or email info@recyclehawaii.org .

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The County of Hawaii and its consultant Townscape, Inc. have completed the Ka’u to South Kona Water Master Plan Final Report, dated September 2004.

The Master Plan was initiated to address potential water sources and water distribution systems for the southwest portion of the Big Island. The objective was to develop a long-range plan to provide water for homes, commercial businesses and farmers in the Ka’u to South Kona region.

The plan is now available on the County of Hawaii website at: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/info/k2skwmp/info.htm .

Hard copies of the report will also be available at Pahala, Naalehu, and Kealakekua Public Libraries and at the Ocean View Community Association Center.

Townscape, Inc. wishes to thank everyone who contributed to this plan. We would also like to thank those who participated in the development of this plan, attended public meetings, and/or provided suggestions and help.

If you have any questions regarding the report, please contact Hilarie Keehne at 536-6999, ext. 103 or via email at hilariekeehne@townscapeinc.com .

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Back by popular demand! High-quality free mulch is now available at the new public pick-up area adjacent to the Kealakehe Transfer Station. The access to the new mulch pick-up area is directly across the street from the transfer station chutes. Residents may self-load mulch at the site from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., seven days a week. Bring a pitchfork and help yourself.

Plenty of free mulch is also available at the Hilo Transfer Station which is open 7 days a week, 7:00am-5:00pm. The green waste pick-up and drop-off area is just past the entrance to the transfer station chutes on the right-hand side of the road.

The County of Hawai`i’s Department of Environmental Management sponsors the free mulch program. At this time, loading assistance for small vehicles is available only at the Hilo location and fees range from $10-$40 depending on vehicle size.

If you want to arrange for a large truckload to be delivered to your residence, business, or farm, from either the Hilo or Kona green waste processing sites, please call the Big Island Recycling representative at (808) 306-1876 to make those arrangements.

For more information about this program, please contact the County’s Recycling Coordinator at 961-8942.

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New parents, caregivers and early childhood professionals are invited to attend one of a series of training workshops around the Island of Hawai`i between October 16-19.

According to Big Island early childhood expert Angela Thomas of Good Beginnings Alliance, research and experience confirm that babies strongly bonded with parents and caregivers are happier, healthier children and adults.

Strongly bonded babies grow to have better self-esteem, an eagerness to learn and are less at-risk for substance abuse and child abuse. They are also more resilient -- able to rebound from life’s troubles.

Waimea: Sat., Oct. 16 - 9 a.m. – Noon, Waimea School Cafeteria
Hilo: Mon., Oct. 18 -- 9 a.m. – Noon, Naniloa Hotel, Kilohana Room
Waimea: Mon., Oct. 18 -- 4– 6:30 p.m., Kuhio Hale - Hawaiian Homes Hall
Kona: Tues., Oct. 19 -- 9 a.m. – Noon, Ohana Keauhou Beach Hotel

Sponsored by the Big Island Good Beginnings Alliance Community Council (BIGBACC) and the North Hawaii Drug-Free Coalition (NHDFC), the workshops will feature baby bonding researcher and author Dr. Alice Sterling Honig.

Dr. Honig is professor emerita of child development at Syracuse University and a licensed New York State psychologist. She has published hundreds of articles for professional journals, and taught courses on child care, parenting, moral development and cross-cultural child rearing.

Advance registration is required. For information and to register, call Angela Thomas at 887-1228.

The Baby Bonding workshops are the first of a year-long, three-step program on the Big Island to raise public awareness about the importance of infants’ emotional relationships and their long-term impact on whole and healthy adolescents capable of making good life choices.

Every mother giving birth at North Hawaii Community Hospital beginning in November 2004 through October 2005 will receive a personal visit by Healthy Start and "Baby Steps" Newborn Basket including:

A ‘Baby Steps’ Resource Directory: This directory, developed specifically for this program, will include all of the programs, services and professionals who work with children 0-5 years of age and their families. It will explain services available and provide contact information. Playgroup schedules and locations will be included as well as resources for special needs children.

A Front-Pack Infant Carrier: Research confirms these carriers, sometimes called Snuglis, increase the amount and quality of parent-child interaction and attachment, reduce child abuse and lessen drug and alcohol use. Studies conclude that infants carried in front-pack carriers are 83% more likely to be "bonded" to their parent or caregiver.

Baby’s First Book: "Read To Me International" is providing baby’s first book for each infant. Studies show that listening to stories, especially between 1 and 3 years of age, is significantly associated with teacher ratings of oral language skill at 5 years and reading comprehension at 7 years. This is especially true if the reading/listening interaction is between a caregiver and child.

A Child Development Book Series: "Healthy Start – Grow Smart" is a series of booklets produced by the U.S. Department of Education. It will be included in each Newborn Basket. These include basic tips about parenting and what to expect the first year.

A group will be assembled including family care providers, home visitors, preschools and social service agencies to determine the greatest needs for training. Four training workshops will be presented incorporating the most current information regarding the effects of drug use on the families served.

Hui members see first-hand the effects of ICE use and other substance abuse on the youngest of our children – from exposure in utero, to parents use, to living in houses where ICE is made or handled. Faced with a generation of children growing up in a drug culture, effective training can provide practitioners with useful information and tools to more effectively help these children.

Nearly a dozen Big Island organizations are partnering in this project with BIGBACC and NHDFC including Waimea Power of Choice, KTA SuperStores, Family Support Services of West Hawaii – Healthy Start Program, Five Mountains Hawaii, Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office, Kamehameha Schools – Preschools Division, Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort, Read to Me International, Tutu’s House – Friends of the Future and Waimea Elementary and Middle Schools.

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If you’ve never experienced a native Hawaiian rainforest, it’s time to set aside Saturday, October 16.

Find your binoculars, get out your raingear and make your reservations for the annual Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge open house.

And if you’ve already been there, you’ll probably want to return again!

"We have folks who come every year as well as newcomers who have no idea Hawaii even has rainforests," said Refuge Manager Dick Wass. "All are welcome to join us in celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week by spending a day in Hakalau Forest."

Residents and visitors are invited to hike through the Pua ‘Akala Tract, which harbors a high-elevation rainforest, many native birds such as ‘i‘iwi and ‘elepaio, and significant numbers of endangered species including the Hawai‘i creeper and Hawai‘i ‘akepa. A historic 110-year old koa cabin also will be open for viewing.

Visitors will be met by refuge staff and tour leaders at the Pua ‘Akala Barn anytime between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. They will receive a briefing on refuge management objectives and strategies and a description of the plants and animals the Refuge protects. Rainforest hikes of varying lengths will be offered.

The hikes will be led by biologists and staff familiar with native Hawaiian flora and fauna. Visitors will have the opportunity to tour the refuge greenhouse and learn about the forest restoration program. Cultural resource protection, weed control projects and the University of Hawaii’s field station will also be highlighted.

Participants must arrange their own transportation to the Refuge. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required for the two-hour drive from Hilo, Waimea or Kona. "We don’t recommend this trip for young children or those who lack an adventurous spirit due to the long rough ride, rugged terrain, and primitive facilities," said Wass.

Visitors should come prepared for wet chilly weather and bring their own lunch, water, binoculars and rain gear.

Reservations are required and may be obtained by calling the refuge office in Hilo at 933-6915 by October 13. Directions and additional information will be mailed to all participants.

Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge consists of 32,730 acres of native forest and grassland on the windward slope of Mauna Kea between the elevations of 2,500 and 6,500 feet. The Refuge was established to protect and manage endangered forest birds and their habitat, and contains some of the finest stands of koa-‘ohi‘a forest in the state.

To make reservations or for more information, contact Josephine Oishi at 1-808-933-6915.

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The new Teen Closet for East Hawai’i youth is operated by teens and staff of Community Technology Center Hawai’i to assist other teens and families in need.

Donations of clothing are taken in Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Distribution events are held on the last Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to Noon starting October 30th.

WHERE: Community Technology Center Hawaii at 200 Kanoelehua Ave., Suite 105, Waiakea Square Warehouse (next to Payday Loans).

The Teen Closet needs clothes for teens, boys and girls. We’re also looking for teen volunteers who want to help with the program.

COST: Free. The number of pieces of clothing per teen will depend on inventory.

For more information, call Community Technology Center Hawai`i at 934-7748.

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(All project schedules based on weather permitting.)

Where/Location: Traffic Division Baseyard.

What: No projects scheduled.

Where/Location: Saddle Road from the 35 mile marker to the end of Saddle Road (Waimea Side).

What: Repaint centerlines.

Where/Location: Saddle Road from the 35 mile marker to the end of Saddle Road (Waimea Side).

What: Continue repainting centerlines.

Where/Location: Saddle Road from the 35 mile marker to the end of Saddle Road (Waimea Side).

What: Continue repainting centerlines.

Where/ Location: Saddle Road from the 35 mile marker to the end of Saddle Road (Waimea Side).

What: Continue repainting centerlines.

No projects scheduled.

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Alcohol and medications can build to a toxic level faster as we age. When older persons combine medications with alcohol, serious adverse interactions may occur. List all your medications and show them to your doctor, pharmacist or other qualified medical personnel. This will help them see the whole picture and spot any potential effects on driving. Always evaluate your own reactions to medications, because reactions to medications depend on the individual.

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Motorists are advised of the following lane closures and work locations as contractors continue work on installing a conduit system for Sandwich Isles Communications in the Kaumana area.

From Monday, October 18th through Friday, October 22nd Willocks Construction will be boring and trenching in the following areas:

• Along Kaumana Drive between Chong Street and Akala Road – Lane Closures

In addition, please be advised of the upcoming lane closures from Monday, October 25th through Friday, October 29th as Jas Glover completes the final paving of this project in the following areas:

• Along Kaumana Drive between Puuhina Street and Kilua Road – Lane Closures

The work will start at 8:00 am and continue until 3:30 pm, weather permitting. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes (Waianuenue Avenue/Akolea Road or Puainako Extension) to avoid traffic delays/congestion and allow for extra travel time.

Contractors are in their 16th week of work and estimate this project to be completed in November 2004.

Questions can be referred to Chuck Eckman (Resident Engineer), Mid State Consultants, at 640-9509.

Mahalo for your patience and cooperation.

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We encourage everyone to use web-based calendar links. Please add your own events to the respective calendars so others can get the word and not conflict with your plans.

County of Hawaii: http://co.hawaii.hi.us/cgi-bin/webcal/webcal.pl
State of Hawaii: http://www.state.hi.us/calendars.htm
Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau: http://calendar.gohawaii.com/
Hawaii.com: http://www.hawaii.com/live/
Alternative-Hawaii: http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/calendar.htm
Kamuela.com: http://kamuela.com/calendar/default.asp
Hawaii Nonprofit Community Events (HCF): http://www.hcf-hawaii.org/hcf/hcfg/comcal.jsp
Hawaii Public Radio: http://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/psa.htm
Hawaii Theatre Network: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hawaiitheatre
UH at Hilo Theatre Events: http://performingarts.net/Theatre/seasoncalendar/calendar.pl
Waikoloa Village: http://www.waikoloa.org/WVCalendar.html
Public School (click on your school): http://doe.k12.hi.us/calendars0203/index.htm
Hilo Downtown Improvement: Go to www.downtownhilo.com (click on Hilo Activity Guide, and follow directions on how to submit an event.) For information call Alice Moon at 933-9772.
Prince Kuhio Plaza: http://www.princekuhioplaza.com/html/Events.asp

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